Bike the Brevard Coast to Coast Trail

Anchoring the eastern end of the state-spanning Coast to Coast Trail, a bike trail system across Central Florida, is a bike path across northern Brevard County.

The Brevard Coast to Coast Trail connects Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to Titusville to Mims and Scottsmoor.

In doing so, it provides cyclists with the longest dedicated paved bike path in the county, 17.1 miles linear.

Mile 8 Marker Coast to Coast Trail with bike path behind it

At Mile 8 looking southbound on the Brevard Coast to Coast Trail

Resources

Our resources for exploring around Titusville

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Titusville to Volusia County Line
Length: 17.1 miles linear (18.6 to the next trailhead north)
Land manager: Brevard County Parks
Phone: 321-633-2046

Open daylight hours. Leashed dogs welcome. Please pick up after your pet.

Be cautious of road crossings, particularly at the Max Brewer Bridge, US 1, Draa Rd, Dairy Rd, SR 46, and Aurantia Rd.

This trail starts in an urban area so be aware of your personal safety. Do not leave your bike unlocked if unattended.

Ride Details

While the ultimate goal of the state-spanning Coast to Coast Trail is to start (or end) with a splash at the Atlantic Ocean, working out the details of getting there is still underway.

A road ride is possible through Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, but traffic to Playalinda Beach is pretty constant at certain times of day.

Riding along Max Brewer Memorial Parkway in the refuge

For now, consider Parrish Park the eastern terminus of this section, although the paved path continues right past the park up to the boundary of the refuge, where you could alternatively park at the overlook on the south side of the highway.

Our mileage starts from the parking area at Parrish Park along the lagoon, near the restrooms. The Max Brewer Bridge is a popular place for walkers and joggers since it offers both the steepest hill and the best view in Titusville.

Max Brewer Bridge view from Parrish Park

Max Brewer Bridge as seen from Parrish Park

You may need to either walk your bike over the bridge on the south side walkway or ride with traffic on the bike lane.

If you use the bike lane, the trick is to get the bike path south on Indian River Avenue into downtown.

Riding the bike lane over the Max Brewer Bridge

The south side walkway of the Max Brewer Bridge merges right into the bike path, which is painted green.

Follow posted bike route markers and the green lane through downtown. First they lead you past the monuments of Space View Park.

The protected green lane parallels Indian River Avenue

The green lane turns west onto Main Street, crossing both the northbound and southbound lanes of US 1 while passing with sight of several eateries and the Playalinda Brewing Company.

Two block north, immediately past the active railroad crossing, a turnoff to the right onto a paved bike path heads up and over the big bridge over Garden Street.

Garden Street Bridge from bicyclist point of view

Riding up to the crest of the Garden Street Bridge

On the downhill on the other side, be sure to stop at Draa Rd and proceed across it carefully. It is one of the busier traffic chokepoints along the bike path, with several roads merging.

Motorists are looking out for each other, not cyclists. They frequently stop on the bike path and block it.

East Coast Greenway sign with bike path beyond

Sign just north of Draa Rd. The Brevard Coast to Coast Trail is part of the East Coast Greenway

Riders who don’t want to deal with traffic and traffic lights in downtown Titusville can start their journey from the parking area at Draa Field Stormwater Park.

It is north of the bike bridge over Garden Street and a half block west of the trail along Draa Rd, 2.6 miles into the ride from the start of the pavement at Parrish Park.

Draa Field Stormwater Park has a lot of resident ducks

Public restrooms are also at Draa Field Stormwater Park. Best of all, you’re on the correct side of Draa Rd to avoid having to cross it on a northbound ride.

North of Draa Road, the trail parallels US 1 across from the hospital and college, crossing a few minor roads before it slips behind a small convenience store and past Brevard Lumber and comes to the traffic light at Dairy Rd.

Trail Town sign along Coast to Coast Trail

Looking southbound at the Dairy Rd intersection to the Trail Town sign for Titusville

At this intersection, Chain of Lakes Park is on the other side of US 1, 4.3 miles into the ride. It’s about a half mile east and has restrooms and water fountains.

The next stretch of the bike path also parallels US 1 closely, passing the old Nevins Groves packing house and Industrial Steel on the edge of Mims.

The Nevins Groves packing house was a busy orange processing facility when we were kids

This is where the trail diverges from US 1 to ride alongside Old Dixie Highway through residential Mims.

An important civil rights historic site, Harry & Harriette Moore Memorial Park, is a half mile west of the trail via Parker St.

Historic Site Marker for Harry T & Harriette Moore Memorial

The museum at Moore Park honors husband and wife civil rights activists killed here in their home in 1951

The bike path crosses SR 46 just two blocks west of US 1 and a block west of one of our favorite meal stops at Family Meat Market.

Just north of SR 46 is the Mims United Methodist Church. They’ve put up a porch with picnic tables and consider themselves a trailhead, too. You are welcome to park here.

Bike in front of United Methodist Church porch

Stopping at the Mims United Methodist Church for a break

They were fixing breakfast for cyclists on Saturday mornings but that has been suspended lately. Perhaps they will again someday.

Continuing through Mims at a diagonal that passes a school, crosses Kelly Rd, and continues to take the trail farther and farther away from US 1 at a northeast angle, you leave the residential area at the back entrance to a golf course.

Biking north of SR 46 through residential Mims

Past the golf course gate, there is no longer a paralleling road along the bike path. Houses are being built along the golf course between the bike path and Interstate 95.

A line of vegetation dense with wildflowers and a hidden ditch separates the golf course community from the trail. To the east are large wooded homesteads and ranches.

Pass the 8 mile marker here, a countdown to the county line, as the trail becomes a nicely forested corridor. Between the trees on the left, a large farm sits off to the west.

Along the shady corridor north of the 8 mile marker

From late March through early May, there is often a sign out on the bike path inviting you to come pick (or buy, pre-picked) fresh blueberries at Ever After Farms.

Mims has several U-pick farms, but this is the only one right along the Brevard Coast to Coast Trail. As regular visitors during season, we can tell you their blueberries are worth the stop.

John holding bags of blueberries at the sign

After picking blueberries at Ever After Farms

Crossing Burkholm Rd, the trail goes across a bridge over a stream that seems to just pool to the east. Your surroundings become more wooded and wild.

The sound of Interstate 95 increases as it makes a diagonal towards the bike path, which enters a sand pine scrub on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge.

Looking back south towards the bridge and Burkholm Rd

Pass a back entrance to the White Sands Buddhist Center. It’s a peaceful place to take a break.

If they are open, restrooms are located near their gift shop, where they have cold soda and bottled water.

Sandra heading into White Sands for a break from riding

A half mile north of White Sands, the trail reaches Aurantia Rd, where Interstate 95 goes over it. This is a very dangerous crossing. Both of us have had near-misses with vehicles here.

There is a road crossing both before AND after the overpass, and both crossings have a blind spot. Stop and look before crossing. Do not assume it is clear as motorists fly down these roads.

John crossing Aurantia Road northbound

You can also be distracted by activity at the Aurantia trailhead immediately north of these crossings.

It tends to be busy, as it is the last trailhead along the Brevard Coast to Coast Trail northbound, 11.4 miles north of Parrish Park.

There are no facilities other than a parking lot, not even a bench. The trailhead can be packed on weekends.

Aurantia trailhead

The reason is that this next stretch of the Coast to Coast Trail is its best. It has no road crossings and minimal signs of human activity other than utility lines.

It is one of our favorite pieces for an easy out-and-back ride, and one of the best stretches on which to take kids on a ride northbound.

The Coast to Coast Trail incorporates a parallel horse trail north of Aurantia

As soon as it clears the line of houses behind the trees to the east, the trail is in a forested corridor.

For the next half mile, there are floodplain forests on both sides of the trail as the path curves between two bridges.

Bike on bridge at creek on Brevard Coast to Coast Trail — A creek that flows through Scottsmoor Flatwoods Sanctuary West is a beautiful stop

At the second bridge, the water is there seasonally. There is a nice view west into a dense floodplain forest. Ibis and other birds often hang out near the banks.

The 5 mile marker is just past the bridge, meaning there is five miles to go to the county line. North of this bridge, you see a dirt road and a freshly built fence.

Gate Scottsmoor Flatwoods Preserve West — Walk-through entrance into Scottsmoor Flatwoods Preserve West

This is where Scottsmoor Flatwoods Sanctuary West starts, about a mile north of the trailhead. This deeply wooded preserve has a mix of swamp and upland pine flatwoods and scrub.

A walk-through entrance has been added at this fence and at another point north along the bike path. We look forward to seeing a kiosk showing the trail system planned here.

From this point north, wildlife sightings are common. Watch for alligators in ditches and sunning atop culverts, and gopher tortoises in the dry scrub areas.

Swamp accompanies both sides of this long straight section of trail for a stretch, until you get to the next bridge.

Alligator sunning at the base of a red maple

An alligator sunning along the creek at the third bridge

This one has water in all seasons and has a dramatic flow when the area is flooded. We’ve always seen wildlife and wading birds here. Especially alligators.

You pass multiple signs that say the trail ends ahead. They aren’t true, and we wish they’d be taken down. We’ve asked. However, they give you an idea of how far ahead the county line is on your ride.

While the horse trail does end at the county line, the Coast to Coast Trail does not

As the trail continues north, the panoramas across pine flatwoods and prairies open up. Be mindful of the marshy ditches as well as the broad views.

Wildflowers are particularly showy through this section, no matter the time of year. In addition to water lilies and cannas in the ditches, we’ve seen pine lilies blooming in late summer.

Water lilies in a depression at the base of a cypress tree

An oddity of this section that has never been explained are the roundabouts. Between them are a line of what appear to be municipal water wells. At the northernmost one, a large alligator often suns along the trail.

Underground utilities are beneath the bike path as well. These are all signs to us that future development is planned in this otherwise rural area north of Scottsmoor Flatwoods.

Utility box in blue in the middle of the woods

Right now there is a broad field stretching off to the east that is private property. Late spring brings a carpet of pink and yellow to this open field.

The land to the west is similarly fenced, so we do not know if it is privately owned or conservation land. This is a part of the trail that is relatively remote. Bear sightings have been reported.

The open field in Scottsmoor in bloom in May

The railroad line that the bike path follows took a more direct route to Maytown than any of the surrounding roads. So it continues a subtle northwest curve, reaching the county line at 16.4 miles.

It’s worth the extra mileage to keep going into Volusia County, another 1.5 miles north to the next trailhead on the Coast to Coast Trail, at Maytown Spur.

While Brevard has no county line marker, this Volusia County Mile 0 marker is new. Looking south to the northernmost roundabout in Brevard.

There are several reasons to press on past the county line. First, the character of the landscape changes. The trail enters a tunnel of pine forest.

On a bike, the distance goes by quickly. Volusia County has marked their trail with mileage posts every half mile. As you round the curve into Maytown, a canopied picnic bench is up ahead.

Bike in front of canopied picnic table with snacks

Vergie’s Feed Station, a popular stop along the Coast to Coast

That’s Vergie’s Feed Station. Vergie Clark is a third-generation resident of Maytown who makes cyclists feel welcome.

She has a picnic shelter and honor box with cold drinks and snacks that makes for a great place to relax before making a visit to the portable toilet at the Maytown trailhead and tackling the ride back.

John and Vergie. She is on both the Coast to Coast Trail and the East Coast Greenway, which diverge just a half mile north of her home

Shorter Trips

For those looking for a shorter ride, the 14 mile round-trip between the Aurentia Road and Maytown trailheads through Scottsmoor is by far the best bike ride in Brevard County.

Its scenery and lack of road crossings make it an ideal place for riders of all experience levels and ages. Just be sure to bring plenty of water and first aid / bike repair supplies, as it is very remote.

Turning around at the county line makes for an 11 mile ride

Another nice piece is between Aurentia trailhead and Folsom Rd in Mims. This corridor is deeply shaded along much of the stretch and framed by woodlands and wildflowers. Wildlife sightings are highly likely.

Once you are south of the dangerous double-road crossing flanking the Interstate 95 overpass, there is only one road crossing at Burkholm Rd.

Enjoy the forested corridor until you reach Walkabout Way, the back entrance to the golf course. This round-trip is 6.6 miles.

The trail corridor northbound headed towards Aurentia

Trailheads

Ample parking is available at Parrish Park, which is located on the causeway on the opposite side of the Max Brewer Bridge from Titusville.

On the city side of the bridge, you can park at Sand Point Park. However, vandalism has been reported there. Better to park at the busier Veterans Memorial Pier adjoining the bridge.

Public parking is also at Space View Park at the east end of Broad St, and in front of the Titusville Welcome Center, downtown.

Some of the monuments at Space View Park

Established trailheads are at Draa Field Stormwater Park in Titusville and Aurantia Road in Mims.

It’s also possible to park at Chain of Lakes Park in North Titusville and ride across US 1 at a traffic light with a crosswalk to join the trail at Dairy Road.

The Mims United Methodist Church also serves as a trailhead, with several spaces adjoining their covered porch that is open to cyclists as a rest stop.

Mims United Methodist Church trailhead

Mileage

Mile	Location
0.0	Parrish Park (restrooms)
1.2	Veterans Memorial Pier (restrooms)
1.4	Space View Park (restrooms 0.2E at Broad St)
2.0	US 1 Southbound (restrooms at Visitor Center)
2.9	Draa Rd (restrooms 0.5W at Draa Park)
4.6	Dairy Rd (restrooms at Chain of Lakes Park 0.5E)
6.1	Parker St (restrooms at Moore Memorial Park 0.5W)
6.5	SR 46 (portalet at Mims United Methodist Church)
7.2	Kelly Rd
8.3	Walkabout Way
10.3	Ever After Farms
10.6	Burkholm Rd
11.1	White Sands Buddhist Center (restrooms 0.5E)
11.5	Aurentia Rd / I-95 overpass
11.6	Aurentia trailhead
17.1	County Line
18.5	Vergie's Feed Station
18.6	Maytown trailhead (portalet)

Not all restrooms may be open.

Southbound mileage from the Maytown trailhead in Volusia County: SR 46 is 12.1 miles, US 1 is 16.5 miles.

Connections

East Central Regional Rail Trail

As soon as you cross the county line, the Maytown Spur of the East Central Regional Rail Trail begins as an integral part of the statewide Coast to Coast Trail.

This bike path across southern Volusia County extends for 18 miles. It then becomes the Spring to Spring Trail at Green Springs Park and continues west.

East Central Regional Rail Trail

Spanning 36.2 linear miles across southern Volusia County, the East Central Regional Rail Trail offers a long ride that also makes up a portion of several major Florida bike trails

East Coast Greenway

The county line is also where you can start counting northbound miles on the Volusia County section of the East Coast Greenway.

Following the Maytown Spur for 1.9 miles, it leaves the Coast to Coast Trail at a junction north of the Maytown trailhead to continue north to Edgewater as the East Central Regional Rail Trail.

It’s 16.1 linear miles on this paved path from the Maytown junction to the trail terminus at Rotary Park in Edgewater, with extension plans in the works.